System and method to identify devices employing point-to-point-over Ethernet encapsulation

Abstract

A method and system for use in identifying customer premises equipment (CPE) in a distributed network are presented. The method utilizes a unique identifier provided by a CPE device to an access concentrator during the discovery stage of PPPoE communications in a distributed network. The access concentrator receives the unique identifier and stores the identifier in a database for use in identifying and managing CPE devices attached to a service provider's network. A system for identifying a communications device includes an access server and a database server. The access server is configured to receive an active discovery packet from a communications device. The active discovery packet has a tag comprising a device identifier field. The device identifier field is embedded in the tag by a module in the communications device, e.g., CPE device.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present disclosure relates to point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPPoE) service.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Broadband service providers for distributed computing network services such as digital subscriber line (DSL) service typically require the end user, e.g., the home or business DSL subscriber, to employ a router, switch, or other customer premises equipment (CPE) to terminate the DSL connection at the residence or business location. The router or other CPE serves to terminate the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) connection, and generally utilizes point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPPoE) enabled software to complete the user authentication process.[0005]When a DSL subscriber encounters a problem with their DSL connection, the DSL service provider has no way to automatically determine the specific make and / or model of a particular CPE device being utilized by the DSL subscriber. In this situation, telephone inquiries to t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and system for identifying customer premises equipment (CPE) in a distributed network using point-to-point over Ethernet (PPPoE) active discovery packets. The system includes an access concentrator and a database server. The access concentrator receives an active discovery packet with a unique tag that identifies the product model of the CPE device. The database server stores the tag for reference. The technical effect of this patent is to enable efficient identification and management of CPE devices in a distributed network.

Problems solved by technology

When a DSL subscriber encounters a problem with their DSL connection, the DSL service provider has no way to automatically determine the specific make and / or model of a particular CPE device being utilized by the DSL subscriber.

Consider a typical case of tens of thousands (or even millions, in some cases) of DSL subscribers and their respective CPE devices, and the support problems presented to the DSL service provider become evident.

In addition, when a service provider wishes to upgrade DSL transport services in their service area(s), e.g., the provision of Point to Point Protocol Termination and Aggregation (PTA), it may be difficult to cost-effectively deploy the new service plan if the service provider does not know what types of CPE devices are currently deployed.

For example, if a new transport service is scheduled for deployment in a specific geographic region, but it is determined that a large number of CPE devices may not support the new service, delays in deployment result.

Such delays lead to increased provider costs, which are typically passed along to the subscribers, resulting in higher rates.

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